Comparison of risperidone and olanzapine in schizophrenia

Abstract

At present a new agent has been added to antipsychotic treatment and the use of atypical antipsychotics are becoming more prevalant. Comparison studies regarding the effectiveness and reliability of atypical antipsychotic are done mostly with classical antipsychotic agents. In this study we aimed to compare the effectiveness and reliability of two atypical antipsychotic medications olanzapine and risperidone in schizophrenia. The study group composed of 40 patients who were diagnosed as schizophrenia according to the DSM-IV criteria. Twenty two schizophrenic patients were given olanzapine (10-20 mg/day) and 18 patients were started on risperidone (2-6 mg/day) randomly. The form for sociodemographic features the patients were given the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and UKU side effect scale. The patients were evaluated at first visit and at 2.. 4.. 6. and 8. weeks. There were no difference in regards to the sociodemographic features between the two groups expect for the duration of illness and age (p>0.05). Age and duration of illness was significantly longer in the risperidone group (p<0.05). At the 6.week there was important reduction in the thought disorder score of BPRS subscale in the rispredone group compared to the olanzapine group (p=0.001). Hostility score also declined significantly after two weeks in the risperidone geroup in contrast to the olanzapine group. No difference was found between the two groups regarding activation. anxiety-depression and anergia subscores and total BPRS scores (p>0.05). In conclusion it can be said that in treatment of schizophrenia risperidone supresses symptoms earlier and that there is no difference between the two agents in regard to side effects.